If you want a non windstopper fleece i believe this is one is the best one around for versatility, durability, cold protection and features (the pit zip work wonders to balance temperature according to your level of physical exercise). Ok in terms of looks other jacket are better (R2, Arcteryx...) but if you if you are not a fashion victim buy this one and you will not regret it. i do not give stars easily and this one is a 4. i did not give 5 just because of the look

Customer Service

No experience

Similar Products Used:

R2 Patagonia, Synchilla pull over

Nice product. Fits well; not too bulky.
Styling is conservative enough to wear around town without looking like an Everest climber wannabe. Appreciate the two-way zipper Mt. Hardwear puts on their jackets -- it allows greater flexibility for venting. Other makers should include this feature. Freedom of movement is good. Jacket does not ride up when extending arms. Pitzips are nice feature for layering, although they do add bulk to the garment.

Customer Service

No experience with customer service.

Similar Products Used:

North Face Denali Jacket, Mt. Hardwear Windstopper fleece jacket, old Patagonia Retro fleece jacket, Marmot Feece Climbing sweater.

Really great jacket, i love the pit zips, there the main reason i bought the thing!!
excelent construction quality, and the fit is good, the bipolar fleace is very good aswell!! breaths well and dries quickly.
only grumbles are about weight and pack size, but thats only because when i was out to buy a new fleace i'd been looking at things mede from polartec 100, untill i found this at half price!!
excelent product.

Customer Service

no experience with customer service

Similar Products Used:

various other fleaces, this beats them all hands down!!

Nothing exceptional but it is good for just about everything and is a great overall multi purpose fleece top. The 200 bi-polar fleece works very well. Great moderate insulation, lots of internal surface area for soaking up and wicking persiration, and a nice smooth outer finish that resists pilling. They put a great DWR finish on the outer surface.

Nice design, good pockets and I love the pit zips.

Like any other MHW product, excellent quality and well thought out design.

Similar Products Used:

various fleece Jackets from:
Patagonia (the best fleece tops, but a little overpriced)
The North Face (I prefer the quality of Mountain Hardware or Patagonia)

I have been impressed with this jacket. I like the Bipolar fleece, it is noticably warmer than regualar 200. I really like the huge pit zips. The fit is very good, not too bulky and doesn't constrict movement. The quality of construction is equally as good, just like everything I have tried from MHW!

Similar Products Used:

REI, Columbia, Outertech

The perfect all around sweater. It is light, durable, and fits me very well. It has pit zips and does not restrict movement. The right amont of warmth without being too much weight. Overall a great product. Look for it on sale. I think most fleece and pile are overpriced

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Hemigear, Patagonia, Moonstone

The Chill Factor jacket is my favorite piece of outdoor clothing. It is lighter than most, and doesn't have any unneccesary frills. The bi-polar 200 fleece work great and is very comfortable. It is one of those rare pieces of gear that works perfect. It cuts the wind better than normal 200 fleece. Breathes well, and has great pit zips. It wouldn't leave home with out it. My only complaint is the thread ending are a little messy, though I have never had a thread or seam come undone.

Similar Products Used:

TNF Denali and Polar Sun. The Chill Factor is better. The other two are overkill for most things and you have to carry the extra weight.

Good usable fleece jacket without looking like you should be out in the boonies!

Pros:
+ Warm bipolar fleece with good venting via full front zip and long pitzips
+ Good pockets
+ Nice design as mentioned above

Cons:
- No real complaints - it has gone a bit "bobbly" in the areas where packstraps rub and so on - this probably happens to all fleece garments and it doesn't affect usability, so no points lost there

Similar Products Used:

The North Face Denali jacket

This jacket is very comfortable and has great technical features. Tops on my list are the chest zip pocket, huge pit zips and nice cuff design. I also like the fit and styling.

Customer Service

I have no experience with Mountain Hardware customer service.

Similar Products Used:

I have a couple of pile jackets - this is by far my favorite.

Had this jacket over 5 years and still looks new. Great warmth/insulatuion layer under a shell. Love the pitzips on those warmer days. Has more technically usable features than the NF Denali which I still love but I chose this one then and wouldn't regret it. Gonna pick up a Windstopper version soon.

Customer Service

I'm split between North Face and MH as my most trusted companies. They make equally superior products and I often compare the 2 before getting anything.

Similar Products Used:

Just various fleece jackets (have 4 of them) bought in town from local manufacturers